Public Consultation: Pathways
to Work Strategy
Call for Submissions
The Irish
economy continues to grow and shows no sign of slowing down. At over 2.3
million, there are now more people working in Ireland than ever before, with
over 400,000 jobs created since the economic low point. Unemployment, which
currently stands at 4.5%, continues to decrease towards pre-crisis levels and
wages are increasing.
This growth is
most welcome but we cannot be complacent. We must make sure that every citizen
has the opportunity to benefit from the buoyant economy. We must leave nobody
behind.
Pathways to Work is the Government’s
overarching policy framework for Activation and Employment Policy. The initial Pathways programme covered the period
2012-2015 and focused on providing activation, training and employment supports
to jobseekers during a time of high unemployment.
Now, with the
continued improvement in economic circumstances, preparations have begun for a revised
employment services strategy for the post 2020 period, to see what else can and
should be done, or what can be done differently, to increase labour market
participation, reduce unemployment durations and improve the progression to
employment of people who remain unemployed in a time of economic prosperity.
The new strategy
will focus on increasing labour market participation and improving employment
outcomes for workers and for employers. In doing this it will need to consider
the needs of
- Long
term unemployed people
- People
with disabilities
- Older
Jobseekers
- Jobseekers
from migrant backgrounds
- Jobseekers
from traveller backgrounds
- Lone
Parents, and
- Unemployed
adult dependents of claimants of welfare
payments
- Existing
workers seeking to develop their careers/earnings.
- Recruitment
requirements of employers
Furthermore, as
the skills and jobs landscape changes over the coming years, the State and in
particular the Public Employment Service – Intreo – must be equipped to better deliver
services. A number of areas have previously been identified as warranting further
attention, including the following:
- Increasing
labour market participation – particularly among under-represented groups
(i.e. women and people with a disability (PWD)) – and the integration of
foreign workers in Ireland.
- Providing
career guidance and employment supports to workers in industries likely to
be impacted by technological change and a transition to a low carbon
economy.
- Developing
return to work services as part of Intreo, providing tailored advice and
information to returnees on skills requirements, training options and
available in-work supports.
- Engaging
with the further education and training sector to improve the quality of
education and training opportunities which are offered to jobseekers and
those who wish to upskill or change career.
*** Making a Submission and Completing our Survey ***
Submissions are invited from interested parties to assist the Department
of Employment Affairs and Social Protection in defining the strategic direction
of the revised Employment Services strategy and in particular the development
of its Intreo Public Employment Service. While you can feel free to submit a
general submission and are welcome to focus on themes and issues which are
relevant to your interest, we also invite you to complete our survey by clicking HERE.
Please send general submissions to Pathwaystowork@welfare.ie no later
than noon, Wednesday, 25th September making sure to provide your name and
organisation.
